Plant and marine omega-3 benefit diabetes patients

Research to be presented today suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, from either plant or marine sources, can have significant benefits in reducing risk of heart disease in type 2 diabetes patients.

There is little information about the acute vascular effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats compared to monounsaturated fats, whereas saturated fat has been shown to damage vascular endothelial function, note the researchers from the Pennsylvania State University.

And while there is evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measurement of endothelial function, it was not clear if plant-derived and marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids had comparable effects.

The team carried out a randomized, double-blind, three-period crossover study to measure the acute effects of three different fat blends on FMD and triglycerides in 18 healthy adults with type-2 diabetes. Milkshakes contained two cups of skim milk and 50g fat from one of three blends: oleic acid from canola and safflower oils, oleic acid + 3.5g a-linolenic acid from canola oil, or oleic acid + 4.1g of EPA + DHA from fish oil.

Blood triglycerides and the flow mediated dilation of arteries were measured under fasting conditions and four hours after each meal. The researchers compared effects in subjects with high fasting triglycerides compared to low fasting triglycerides.

All test fats significantly increased plasma triglycerides, and postprandial triglyceride changes were larger in the high TG group. Subjects with high fasting triglycerides showed significant improvements in FMD four hours after consuming fish oil or the plant-based omega-3. In this group, larger triglyceride increases after both plant and marine omega-3 enriched diets were associated with larger increases in endothelial function improvements.

These results suggest that 3-4g of omega-3 fatty acids, from either plant or marine sources, may have acute, beneficial effects on FMD in individuals with diabetes and concurrent hypertriglyceridemia, concludes the team.

The research will be presented at the scientific sessions of the American Heart Association​ in Florida tomorrow. Another study by researchers from the UK demonstrates that dietary supplementation with fish rich in omega-3 is associated with reduced platelet-monocyte aggregation (PMA), a sensitive marker of platelet activation, significant for risk of cardiovascular events.